Pacquiao (left) Bradley (right)
New York, NY– This weekend, international boxing superstar Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) will attempt to defend his WBO welterweight (147) trophy against recent unified WBO/WBC light welterweight (140) belt holder Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) over 12 proposed rounds of throw down at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday at 9 PM ET on HBO PPV.
MANNY’S PATH OF DESTRUCTION
Since his coming out party massacre against Marco Antonio Barrera (W TKO 11), Boxing Writer’s Association of America’s Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao is the first boxer in the history of sport to win a staggering eight world titles in eight different weight divisions. Considering the level of opposition he has faced since thrashing Barrera: twice defeating both Erik Morales (L UD 12, W TKO 10, W KO 3) and Juan Manuel Marquez (D 12, W SD 12, W MD 12) and pounding out one sided drummings over world elite combatants such as Oscar De La Hoya (W TKO 8), Ricky Hatton (W KO 2), Miguel Cotto (W TKO 12), Joshua Clottey (W PTS 12), Antonio Margarito (W UD 12), and Shane Mosley (W UD 12); Manny’s ring endeavors have proven to be credible accolades in support of his status as an all-time living legend.
Pacquiao (right) rips David Daiz with a hook
A CLOSER LOOK AT PAC MAN
Many of “Pac’s” victims have been systematically broken down by master trainer Freddie Roach’s pre fight observations. Roach’s fight plans consist of strategies and tactics, which are usually executed with relative ease by Pacquiao resulting in emphatic victory for the Filipino phenomenon. During such conquests, Manny has shown his own brilliant ring intellect by displaying an ability to control a foe by making an opponent fight his type of fight. On the contrary, (as seen in the early rounds in his bout against Cotto), Manny, on occasion, can get caught in the heat of the moment, become distracted, deviate from his predetermined fight plot, (and to his credit) make the adjustments necessary to beat his opponent at their own game. Pacquiao’s unique style is a hybrid of aggressively fast paced boxing accompanied with sound defence. In consideration of his overall attributes of speed, power, movement, and genius boxing IQ, Manny Pacquiao may not only be one of the game’s most complete fighters, he may be the most dangerous because he is willing to fight fire with fire. However, as suggested by several commendable media outlets in regard to his involvement in movies, music, and politics that Manny may be “burning the candle at both ends” and possibly losing some focus toward the hurt business of boxing; evidence of that theory has surfaced, as seen in his last two outings. Manny’s most noticeable show of decline surfaced in his most recent assignment against Marquez. Pacquiao apprearred to have slowed down some, especially in the leg department, suggesting that the “weight gain” he has put on over the years could possibly be catching up with him. Thus, resulting in him looking a bit more vulnerable then he had been in recent years.
Bradley digging to the body
A CHAMP ON THE RISE OR A CHUMP MEETING HIS DEMISE?
Four years removed from his impressive title winning effort over Junior Witter (W UD 12), Timothy Bradley has slugged it out with, and remained perfect against most of the top dogs in a talent deep division of 140 pounders. Despite such accolade, by having just one lone knockout victory in his last ten contests, Bradley’s bouts have made for some unmemorable affairs. Now moving up a class in weight, beneath the bright lights in the biggest night of his career against his toughest adversary to date, Timothy will hope to reach outside of his norm and deliver an emphatic win in crowd pleasing fashion. Though the notion of such a triumph is highly unlikely, if Timothy happens to be successful, he will command the most important facet of the game in which he has lacked: entertainment.
SOLID UNDER CARD
Electrifying bantamweight (118) madman Jorge Arce (60-6-2, 46 KOs) takes on spirited scrapper Jesus Rojas (18-1-1, 13 KOs) in a scheduled 10 rounds of pound.
Exciting up and coming battler Mike Jones (26-0, 19 KOs) meets seasoned veteran former champ Randall Bailey (42-7, 36 KOs) in a slated 12 frame claim for the vacant IBF welterweight (147) strap.
Highly regarded (and often avoided) WBA jr. featherweight (122) belt holder Guillermo Rigondeaux (9-0, 7 KOs) engages unheralded combatant Teon Kennedy (17-1-2, 7 KOs) over 12 rounds or less.
John Signorella